But the standout junior was more interested in talking about the goal that gave him the chance - sophomore Travis Holmes' second of the game with 15 seconds left in regulation to draw the Eagles even in last night's semifinal at Johns Hopkins' Homewood Field.

"Travis made a great play. He split a couple defenders, and I don't know how he hung on to the ball. But he did and then put it in there."

Then it took just 40 seconds into the first four-minute overtime period for Benson (three goals, one assist) to pounce on a loose ball in front and finish, giving the Eagles a third chance against Loyola - a 15-5 winner over Severn in the other semifinal - and a bid for its second conference title.

The championship game is set for 8 p.m. tomorrow at Hopkins. Loyola beat McDonogh twice during the regular season.

Gilman ended a scoring drought of more than 18 minutes when J. D. Nelson tied the score at 5 with 6:45 left in the third quarter. The Greyhounds then got consecutive goals from Justin Redd to claim the game's only two-goal lead.

Tyler Kelly cut Gilman's margin to 7-6 with 9:48 left, and then the Eagles had a couple of chances turned back before Holmes found the equalizer with 15 seconds left.

No. 2 Loyola 15, No. 4 Severn 5: The Dons (19-4) enjoyed a 9-0 run over two-plus quarters - exploding in the second half to come away with its third win in three tries against Severn (12-9) this season.

Andrew White scored four times and Phil Grillo added three goals and an assist to lead a Loyola attack that got goals from 10 players.

"We were hustling all over the field, getting ground balls and the goals followed," White said. "Our defense also did a real nice job holding down a good team like Severn."

The game resumed where it left off yesterday, before the thunder and lightning that suspended play Tuesday with 8:08 left in the first quarter and the score tied at 2.

After the Admirals got a goal from Todd MacMullen to take a 3-2 lead on the opening possession - coming with 6:56 left in the first quarter - Loyola kept the ball and the goals eventually followed.

Strong play in goal from Matt Larkin (17 saves) kept the Admirals close for a half, trailing 5-3 at intermission, but Loyola's speed in transition proved too much in the second half, with the Dons extending the lead to 11-3 into the fourth quarter.